January 12, 2011

Start your week off with some nu-disco and new wave. Tonight, Hercules and the Love Affair DJ sweetheart Kim Ann Foxman takes on the East Village’s free Bassment Party. We couldn’t be happier that this party is hidden away in the tiny Kings Cross bar either — seeing Foxman in small, unexpected places is the best way to do it. Old-school house, rarer disco edits, tropical bass, and newer club bangers rule tonight’s dance floor, with additional sets by Barcelona’s Sylvia Prada, and residents Dirty Jeans and Jools Palmer. If grime-y punk rap is what you’re after, head to Ninjasonik‘s When Anxiety Attacks CD-release party at Santos. The $10 fete includes performances by Ninjasonik and all of their friends, including Lil B (!!!), Theophilus London, the Party Squad, and Jasmine Solano. The celebratory crew is on at 10:30 p.m. sharp, so make sure you get there early.

On Thursday, we’re sending you directly to an even more bonkers rap show. Namely, Lil B’s first New York show of the new year at Highline Ballroom. We’re still not sure we completely understand what exactly the young rapper is getting at, but for now, at least, dude’s nonsensical freestyling is comedic party-rap gold. (File under: #swag #woo #based). Mad Decent’s Maluca kicks off the night’s festivities. On the other side of town, Moombahton maestro and personal favorite Munchi takes over Gallery Bar’s free Gold Whistle party. The Dutch DJ is in town only briefly, so catch his set of house-turned-reggaeton (and vice versa) while you can. Resident DJs Dirty Finger and Cobra Krames provide club anthems, booty bounce, hip-hop, and house to round out the evening.

Onto the weekend. If you missed Munchi the night before, you have a chance to redeem yourself on Friday: The DJ headlines Coco 66 in Greenpoint, with additional sets by Roxy Cottontail and Xao Productions’ DJ Comrade (and his baile funk MPC). If you’re city-bound, make your way uptown for this month’s edition of The Fader‘s One Step Beyond fete at the American Museum of Natural History. The classy affair takes place in the pit of the space exhibit and hosts a headlining DJ set by lovable Brooklyn duo Matt & Kim. (We’d rather they play live, too, but oh well.) The event also features a live MPC performance by beat-peddler AraabMuzik and the clubby house stylings of D.C.’s Nacey. Tickets are pretty spendy at $25 a pop, but they do include a free return visit to the museum. If you’re short on cash, you can always try to win yourself a pair instead!

Alternately, try your hand at getting into MTV’s Skins premier bash a little further downtown. Located in a warehouse on Westside Highway (location TBA with RSVP), the extravaganza features a grand lineup of dubstep figurehead (and Britney Spears producer) Rusko, Trouble & Bass star Drop the Lime, and a performance by Sleigh Bells. The latter’s hit “Kids” serves as the theme song and trailer for the show (which is something like a sexier, drug-addled version of The O.C.), and you can bet there will be plenty of children in attendance. The event is 16 and up (cue anxiety attack), 21 to drink. Limited RSVP list is available. Good luck!

Since it’s a long weekend, we suggest you take it easy on Saturday night to rest up for Sunday’s MLK celebrations. To kick things off Sunday, legendary deep-house, soul, disco, and funk party Body & Soul returns to Webster Hall. Resident DJs Joe Claussell, Danny Krivit, and Francois K will bring out New York club anthems, rare edits, plenty of funky and deep house, and lots of vinyl. And since the party starts at 6 p.m., you can still get home at a relatively reasonable hour. Tickets are $20 at the door. For house that’s a little more minimal (and mixed with some acid and techno), make your way to the Rivington’s Dog & Pony Verboten. Ghostly International’s Matthew Dear headlines the night with a DJ set that we hope dips into the progressive house and industrial knockings he’s dabbled in lately. Leftroom’s Matt Tollfrey and Shadi Megallaa infuse a little more electronica and funk into their sets, while Dog & Pony’s Paul Raffaele and Verboten’s Andrew Vogt round out the night. Party starts at 4 p.m. No cover before 5 p.m., $20 after.

If the techno and house just isn’t going to cut it for you, head west, as S.O.B.’s hosts an MLK celebration of their own. The last time we saw Blitz the Ambassador perform, he was backed by an epic live band (the Embassy Ensemble) and African hand drums, while wearing a boom box as a hat. His raps encourage listeners to think for themselves (the guy loves to politick with his audience), but that feels right for tonight, no? R&B goddesses Les Nubians and the always soulful Rich Medina keep you grooving all night. Tickets are $15 at the door. If you’re looking for conscious raps of a different kind, follow ?uestlove to Cielo for Giant Step’s annual celebration. The party’s motto is “music and freedom” — we’re sure that means plenty of soul, funk, r&b, jazz, Motown, and raucous encouragement via the night’s MC, Yameen Allworld.